Opportunities for Industry

CERN buys goods and services

CERN purchases goods and services worth several billion kroner annually, mainly from its member countries. As a member of CERN, Norwegian industry  has the opportunity to supply goods and services to the organization. Some of CERN's procurements concern highly specialized products for accelerators and detectors (for example, superconducting cables, high-vacuum pumps and cooling systems based on supercritical liquid helium), while other contracts require a local presence in Geneva (for example, in construction, operation and maintenance). At the same time, many procurements include more ordinary supplies, such as computers, control systems, fire alarm systems, electronics production, office furniture, cranes, mechanical parts in steel and plastic, engineering services, cables, switches, electrical power, prefabricated buildings and storage tanks.

Industry Contact Service

An industry contact service has been established to support Norwegian companies interested in supplying goods and services to CERN. The industry contact assists CERN in identifying potential Norwegian suppliers and guides Norwegian companies through qualification and tender processes. In addition, the industry contact can help companies get in touch with relevant contact persons at CERN to market their products. The service is funded by the Research Council of Norway and is free.

CERN – a customer that fits your business?

There are several reasons why CERN is an interesting customer:

• Supplies to CERN are prestigious and get noticed;
• CERN is a competent customer with strict requirements for suppliers and is therefore a good reference;
• CERN is often early in requesting new technology and new ways of doing things;
• The procurement rules favour suppliers from member states which are under-represented in CERN's procurements, including Norway.
• The cost of transportation is normally not taken into account when comparing competing offers.